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Cabinet Approves Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority (ITLA) | Big Reform for Viksit Bharat 2047 | UPSC 2026 Current Affairs Breaking News: Cabinet Approves ITLA! On 6th October 2026, the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi approved the setting up of Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority (ITLA) as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry. Announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw at Cabinet briefing. What is ITLA? ITLA will be the National Apex Institution for integrated transport and logistics planning, research, project appraisal, monitoring, policy support and data analytics. It aims to end fragmented planning across multiple Ministries - Roads, Railways, Aviation, Ports & Shipping, Inland Waterways, Coastal Shipping, Urban Mobility. Why ITLA Needed? Currently logistics cost in India is 13-14% of GDP vs global benchmark of 8%. Fragmented planning is a major reason. If GDP grows 7%, logistics demand grows 10%. To achieve Viksit Bharat 2047 and reduce logistics cost, unified planning is must. ITLA builds on PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (launched 2021) - GatiShakti was mapping tool, ITLA will be planning & governance authority. Key Roles & Responsibilities of ITLA: 1. Prepare National Transport Master Plan with 10, 15, even 30 years horizon covering all modes. 2. Evaluate short-term (5-year) and annual plans of transport Ministries to ensure alignment with National Plan and promote multi-modal development. 3. Technical Appraisal of Central Govt infrastructure projects costing Rs 500 Crore or more. Financial appraisal will remain with existing mechanisms. 4. Monitor implementation of projects - Rs 500 Cr and provide coordinated issue resolution mechanism. 5. Post-implementation impact assessment of major projects. 6. Research on energy-efficient and environment friendly transport. Other Cabinet Decision: Rs 10,000 Crore SME Growth Fund approved for direct equity investment in SMEs to create future champions - announced in Budget 2026-27. Importance for UPSC Prelims & Mains: GS-3: Infrastructure, Logistics Sector, National Logistics Policy, PM GatiShakti, Multi-modal Connectivity, Inclusive Growth GS-2: Governance - Institutional Reform, Federalism (Centre-State coordination) Vajirao & Reddy Institute - India's Top Potential Training Institute for IAS brings you Daily Current Affairs from The Hindu, Indian Express, PIB, ET for UPSC 2026. Subscribe for Daily News Analysis & hit Bell Icon! #ITLA #IntegratedTransportAndLogisticsAuthority #CabinetDecision #PMModi #AshwiniVaishnaw #GatiShakti #NationalTransportMasterPlan #LogisticsCost #Infrastructure #ViksitBharat2047 #DPIIT #MinistryOfCommerce #UPSC2026 #UPSC #CurrentAffairs #GS3Infrastructure #NationalLogisticsPolicy #MultimodalTransport #IndianExpress #PIB #TheHindu #VajiraoAndReddyInstitute #SMEGrowthFund